Interesting way to look at the spread offense

[HawkerJimbo73]

Saw this posted on facebook and thought I would share it. The basic idea is the higher the ratio of solo tackles to assisted tackles, the more you would consider a team a "spread" offense. Not sure how useful this is but thought it was interesting:

http://www.footballstudyhall.com/2014/2/24/5437400/college-football-spread-offenses

 

[GoSooners]

Interesting read on Kansas State. I didn't know that. It's amazing how many things can be done with the spread/no huddle offense. No wonder KSU gave so many Big 12 defenses problems last year. The no huddle makes it extra tough to defend when you can get the plays off fast. I think it's kind of interesting that Nick Saban spoke out and proposed this no huddle rule. When they played OU, the Sooners actually huddled up against Bama. But the thing they did differently from their other games is after huddling, OU would rush to the line of scrimmage and hike the ball right away to keep the Bama defense from making adjustements. It was by far the best gameplan that Huepel came up with all year. It just goes to show that the no huddle isn't the only thing you have to worry about these days. Offenses are getting better, and defenses are struggling to keep up.

 

[russ1945]

Just a little perspective. The more you pass, especially medium to long, the more solo tackles you will get because of the one on one coverage. I am not so sure how relative solo tackles is to total team success either. But it is an interesting slant. I have said on here for a few years now how the spread (all forms of it) were changing college football. It was obvious that the offenses were gaining the advantage over the defenses. I think that team speed on defense is really the key. More solo tackles just reinforces how effective spread offenses are in general. But in the end the spread is only as effective as the QB can make it. You have to have a versatile athlete at QB. When someone scores that means that player did not get tackled, how does that figure into this whole concept. LOL

 

[GoSooners]

Russ, I think the mobile QB is the key to the whole thing. I've seen very few of these spread offenses work well in today's game without a good mobile QB. When it came down to it, OU's spread really didn't work all that well with Landry Jones if a team of close or equal talent had time to game plan for it. Mainly because Jones wasn't mobile. It meant that the safety didn't have to worry about the QB taking off, and could just key on the WR/RB. Big advantage to the defense when all of the skill players are spoken for. With Knight in there it's a different story. You can't play strictly a coverage defense against him or he's going to take off and burn you. It will be interesting to see how Big 12 defenses play him this year.

 

[HawkerJimbo73]

Just a little perspective. The more you pass, especially medium to long, the more solo tackles you will get because of the one on one coverage. I am not so sure how relative solo tackles is to total team success either. But it is an interesting slant. I have said on here for a few years now how the spread (all forms of it) were changing college football. It was obvious that the offenses were gaining the advantage over the defenses. I think that team speed on defense is really the key. More solo tackles just reinforces how effective spread offenses are in general. But in the end the spread is only as effective as the QB can make it. You have to have a versatile athlete at QB. When someone scores that means that player did not get tackled, how does that figure into this whole concept. LOL

They do make sure to point out that it doesn't necessarily give an indication of the quality of the offense- just whether or not it's considered "spread". Oregon is 48th on that list, for example. That's why I'm not sure how useful this really is. Perhaps a slow defense won't defend a spread offense as well... but then I'm sure we all knew that already.

 

[russ1945]

They do make sure to point out that it doesn't necessarily give an indication of the quality of the offense- just whether or not it's considered "spread". Oregon is 48th on that list, for example. That's why I'm not sure how useful this really is. Perhaps a slow defense won't defend a spread offense as well... but then I'm sure we all knew that already.

Like I said it is an interesting slant. It does point out something else also. As the season progresses teams practice less and less on the basics, some at least. I think that one on one tackling is a very key factor in the success of a defense. How often do you see a CB miss a tackle on a quick pass to the WR and that play gains 20+. Solo tackling falls mainly on the LB's and DB's and if they are successful that prevents big plays. As far as Oregon goes their offense is designed to isolate their playmakers and that involves putting them into one on one situations where they have the advantage. In the end speed still rules.

 

[Coachfreak]

That is an interesting look at the spread offense. And I agree, saying "we run the spread" doesn't tell you anything about an offense anymore. Auburn is considered a spread team but they led the nation in rushing. Some "spread" teams are just old one-back zone teams. But this is an interesting way to look at the spread.

 

[cloverleaf]

One reason for poor tackling, especially in the secondary is due to limited full tackling drills. Once the season starts, many coaches will practice form tackling, but without taking the player to the ground. Fear of injuries is the reason for this.

I watched enough poor tackling by Alabama's corners last season to know this is partially responsible.

 

[russ1945]

One reason for poor tackling, especially in the secondary is due to limited full tackling drills. Once the season starts, many coaches will practice form tackling, but without taking the player to the ground. Fear of injuries is the reason for this.

I watched enough poor tackling by Alabama's corners last season to know this is partially responsible.

Exactly what I was touching on.

 

[cloverleaf]

The up tempo spread will run its course just like the single wing, wishbone, veer, power I and others before it.

Eventually defenses will catch up...they always do.